ABSTRACT
The battery, an essential component of almost all aircraft electrical systems, is used to start engines and auxiliary power units (APUs), provide emergency backup power for essential avionics equipment, assure no-break power for navigation units and fly-by-wire computers, and provide ground power capability for maintenance and preflight checkouts. Many of these functions are mission-critical, so the performance and reliability of an aircraft battery is of considerable importance. Other important requirements include environmental ruggedness, a wide operating temperature range, ease of maintenance, rapid recharge capability, and tolerance to abuse.
